THE FLYING NUNN

Where the Moon Pie hits your eye, that’s Chattanooga

Mon. October 30, 2023 12:00 AM
by Jerry Nunn

It's easy to see that Chattanooga is a town built on tourism and is located in the southeastern part of the state of Tennessee. The name refers to a rock rising to a point as viewed from Lookout Mountain by the Cherokee tribe. There is plenty to see both high and low in a region also nicknamed the Scenic City thanks to being engulfed with the rolling Tennessee River and the surrounding Appalachian Mountains.

Travelers can traverse the majority of Chattanooga's territory on foot or through a variety of transportation options.

One possibility is to meet at Pedego Electric Bikes, 157 River Street, for a bicycle tour with Outshine Adventures. This company is organized and run by the out and proud pioneer Sunshine Loveless. Prepare to stretch those legs while learning about history and enjoying spectacular landscapes. There is a learning curve to the electronic controls of the apparatus but luckily Loveless is patient and kind with beginnings or any other level of expertise. Going uphill is a breeze with the boost of these unique bikes and the energy is needed to cross the Walnut Street Bridge as part of the tour. Sign up at and explore more OutshineAdventures.com.

For more scenic adventures head up to Rock City in Outlook Mountain and stroll through a 4,100-foot Enchanted Trail that includes many neon-painted classic storybook characters inside a Mother Goose Village and a winding path path in the Fairyland Caverns.

Rock City first opened in 1932 and nearly half a million people visit the caves from all over the world each year.

Plan accordingly as Rock City is actually in the state of Georgia where Tennessee Uber drivers cannot be ordered for pickups and taxis can be challenging to book depending on the time of day.

For another bird's eye view head up Scenic Highway to the natural landmark known as Ruby Falls then go 260 feet underground to see a 145-foot-tall cascading waterfall.

For more touristy treats try the Southside District and the famous Chattanooga Choo Choo train station complex complete with a hotel and gift shops.

Speaking of fire, Ignis means “fire” in Latin and iGNis Glass Studio, 401 Broad Street, offers a hot spot to visit in the city. Interested parties or individuals may sign up for classes at ignisglass.com to create ornaments, paperweights, vases or shell bowls. Learn from the glass master Chris Mosley then be patient as the glass cools overnight. Art can be picked up the following day or shipped home for a fee.

Just steps from the studio are shops full of souvenirs like the MoonPie General Store and just a short uphill hike is the Hunter Museum of American Art. The layout of this iconic museum makes it easy to navigate while exploring the different decades of art displayed in each room.

For those who enjoy learning history paired with a scare try ChattanoogaGhostTours.com. A guided ghost hunt through the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus and Citizen Cemetery are just part of the options offered to book within time slots on the site.

Don't sleep on Dread Hollow as another horrifying option during this spooky season. Three haunted houses are contained in the strip mall at 321 Brown's Ferry Road for a fright fest recommended for ages 12 and above. Visit DreadHollow.com before it is too late and support a business that zombie marched at the Chattanooga Pride parade this year.

For questions about investigating the diverse neighborhoods and finding activities to enhance your stay in the county seat of Hamilton County, pop into the Chattanooga Visitors Information Center just outside of the Tennessee Aquarium at the Pedestrian Plaza.

Ahead of your trip click over to VisitChattanooga.com and start planning today.

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